PIP Withdrawn From Amputee Over Cricket Video

The family of a man who lost his leg when he was two years old have asked for a rethink of a decision to strip him of his disability benefits and force him to pay back £36,000.

Shaun Rigby from Telford had his Personal Independence Payment (PIP) withdrawn after a video emerged, showing him take part in a game of cricket.

But his family said: “Playing cricket does not negate Shaun’s disability; it showcases his determination to lead a fulfilling life despite it.”

The Department of Work and Pensions said its decision had been backed by an independent tribunal and PIPs were “awarded based on how a condition impacts a person’s day-to-day needs, as opposed to the condition itself”.

In an online petition, Mr Rigby’s family said he had “overcome incredible odds since losing his leg below the knee in a tragic tractor accident when he was just two years old”.

They said despite his physical challenges, the 37-year-old had tried to “live as fully as possible, embracing activities like cricket not only for his own mental and physical health but also to share joyful moments with his family”.

Mr Rigby said he used to play for England’s disability cricket team, before eventually having to give it up.

He said: “I stopped playing about 2014, just because I couldn’t do what I wanted to do, my body was sort of breaking down.”

Since then, he said the pain became worse and he was successful in applying for PIP in 2016 and a Motability car three years later.

But the DWP decided to withdraw both after their attention was drawn to the video of him playing cricket in 2023.

His family said it had been “a light-hearted community cricket match”.

They argued that “participating in adaptive sports is a well-known form of rehabilitation and psychological well-being for individuals with disabilities”.

The decision to strip him of his benefits took away his independence and his ability to care for his family, they said.

Mr Rigby said he understood why the DWP had made the decision, but wanted the government department to know he played despite his condition and did it partly to inspire others.

He said he would undergo six days of “torture” after playing, because of the pain.

The family has asked the DWP to reassess his case and reverse the decision.

His wife, Lauren, said losing the PIP payments was difficult in itself, but the thought of having to repay the £36,000 was causing the family “stress and worry”.

“Do they want us to go into poverty?” she asked.

Mrs Rigby added she wanted to push back at some of the negative comments they had received after it was announced he would lose the payment, but that there had been “nothing but good comments” since the online petition was launched.

The DWP said: “Following Mr Rigby’s appeal, where he was able to challenge his benefit entitlement, an independent tribunal agreed with DWP’s decision.”

It also said that every PIP claim was different, because of individual circumstances “including age and the ability to manage a condition without supervision or assistance”.

Mr Rigby is waiting to hear what the weekly repayments will be on the £36,000 and believes it could be up to £35 a week.

The DWP said it was committed to working with anyone struggling with repayment terms.